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Shimanami Kaido Scenic Drive & Matsuyama Onsen Experience - Private Car Full Day Tour (8 Hours)

Shimanami Sea Route

Dogo Onsen - Hot Spring

Hiroshima Soul Food - Okonomiyaki

Toyota Alphard for 3 or more Travellers

Toyota Harrier for 2 Travellers

Toyota Copen GR for Solo Travellers

Dogo Onsen - Hot Spring

Island Bridge

Shimanami Kaido Scenic Drive & Matsuyama Onsen Experience - Private Car Full Day Tour (8 Hours)

Day Trip

Car Tour (driving guide)

Joined 2026

Kate M.

5.00 / 5

(11 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Hiroshima

English (Native), Japanese (Native)

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Kate M.)

Up to 10 people

Experience one of Japan’s most scenic coastal drives along the Shimanami Kaido, crossing 6 beautiful islands connected by iconic bridges over the Seto Inland Sea, part of a region with over 3,000 islands. Enjoy stunning ocean views and quiet island towns along the way.

Continue to Matsuyama and relax at Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot springs, said to have inspired Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli. A perfect mix of nature, culture, and relaxation in one day.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel

- Other options: Hiroshima Station/ Port/Airport. Your guide will pick you up in a private car at your location.

10:00 AM

Drive to Onomichi

Leave the city behind and enter a more relaxed countryside setting.

11:30 AM

Lunch in Onomichi

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Onomichi is known for its relaxed atmosphere and regional specialties such as ramen or seafood. Your guide can recommend options based on your preference.

12:30 PM

Shimanami Kaido Scenic Drive

Begin your journey across one of Japan’s most iconic coastal routes. Cross multiple islands connected by impressive bridges, with stops at scenic viewpoints for photos and short walks.

02:00 PM

Continue to Matsuyama - Ehime Prefecture

Relax as you continue through the Seto Inland Sea region toward Ehime Prefecture.

02:30 PM

Onsen Experience at Dogo Onsen (or alternative)

Unwind in one of Japan’s oldest and most famous hot springs. Late afternoon timing helps avoid peak crowds. Alternative onsen may be selected to ensure the best experience.

04:00 PM

Walk Around Dogo Onsen Area

Take a relaxing stroll through the charming streets surrounding Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most atmospheric hot spring districts.

The area is filled with traditional wooden buildings, small shops, and local cafés, creating a nostalgic setting that feels like stepping back in time. As you walk, you’ll find souvenirs, local sweets, and places to try regional snacks, all centered around the iconic bathhouse.

The compact layout makes it easy to explore at a leisurely pace after your onsen experience. In the evening, the streets become softly lit, offering a calm and scenic atmosphere perfect for a gentle walk.

05:00 PM

Drive back to Hiroshima City Area

08:00 PM

Drop off at your hotel (or Station / Port/ Airport)

Ending Point

Drop off at your hotel (or Station / Port/ Airport)

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

- Guide (Driver)

- Hotel Pick-up or Port, Airport pick-up

- Private Car Transportation (Toyota Copen GR for solo travellers, Toyota Harrier for 2, Toyota Alphard luxury minivan for 3 or more travellers.)

- Gasoline, toll and parking fees

What‘s not included

- Lunch (Around $15 USD per person)

- Onsen entrance tickets (Around $5 USD per person)

- Personal expenses

Tour Important Information

Please follow below Onsen / Bathhouse Etiquette

* Wash before entering: Shower and clean your body at the washing stations before using the bath

* No swimsuits: Baths are used fully nude (separate areas for men and women)

* Towels stay out of the bath: Do not place your towel in the water

* Tattoos: Some facilities may restrict visible tattoos (covering may be required)

* Quiet atmosphere: Keep voices low and avoid splashing

* No phones or cameras inside the bathing area

* Hair tied up: Keep long hair out of the water

* Stay hydrated and avoid bathing immediately after alcohol

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2026

Kate M.

5.00 / 5

(11 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Kate M.

Hello! My name is Kate, and I’m a local guide based in Hiroshima.

I grew up in both Japan and Australia and fluent in both English and Japanese.

I offer comfortable car tours, allowing us to explore more locations at a relaxed pace, perfect for discovering both famous highlights and hidden gems.

I have a deep love for Hiroshima and its unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. My goal is to share this special place with you in a way that feels personal, meaningful, and unforgettable.

I’m also happy to fully customize your tour based on your interests, whether you’d like to focus on history, local cuisine, scenic spots, or off-the-beaten-path experiences.

I look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima and creating a memorable journey together!

Reviews

Brigid L.

5 / 5

Oct 21, 2026

[VIP] Hiroshima & Miyajima Private Car Full-Day Tour (2 UNESCO Sites, Easy & Efficient 8 Hours)

Oct 21, 2026

Hiroshima

8 hours

“An unforgettable day in Hiroshima with Kate”

We were a group of four Canadian first time travellers to Hiroshima who wanted to optimize our time in this remarkable area. From beginning to end, Kate was a five star professional. We started communicating well before our trip and Kate provided exact instructions for how to get from Osaka to Hiroshima for the day tour right down to the times of trains. We were met at the station, driven around in a very comfortable van, and completed the itinerary like clockwork. Kate focused us on all the beautiful details at each site of Miyajima and also pointed out the ideal photo spots. We thoroughly appreciated Kate introducing us to delicious, local snacks and foods at each spot including grilled oysters, momiji manju, an exceptional okonomiyaki lunch at her favourite food counter and a first class lemon sorbet! Most importantly, Kate presented the history of Hiroshima with the perfect blend of compassionate historical knowledge and thought-provoking insight. This was an unforgettable experience. We would highly recommend Kate for your Hiroshima tour.

Kate M.

Thank you so much, Brigid! It was such a pleasure spending the day with all four of you. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed every part of the tour! Food is such a big part of the experience in Hiroshima, and I always love sharing the local flavors with my guests. It means so much to me that you all enjoyed it! I hope you have a wonderful rest of your trip and make many more amazing memories along the way! Kind regards, Kate

Clay C.

5 / 5

Oct 21, 2026

Hiroshima city and food tour

Oct 21, 2026

Hiroshima

4 hours

Customized

“Ideal introduction to a truly special place”

I met Kate shortly after I arrived in Hiroshima for my first visit. She did a great job showing me the highlights of the city & giving me ideas about how to spend the rest of my time there. Visiting Hiroshima was really the highlight of my time in Japan, my tour with Kate was a big part of this. I will be encouraging my friends and family to visit Hiroshima and begin their time there the same way I did. Thank you very much, Kate!

Kate M.

Thank you so much, Clay! It was a pleasure meeting you right at the start of your first visit to Hiroshima. Watching that beautiful sunset from Orizuru Tower was such a perfect way to begin your stay! I’m so happy to hear that Hiroshima became the highlight of your time in Japan and that our tour helped you make the most of your visit. Thank you for recommending Hiroshima to your friends and family. I’d be delighted to show them around if they visit someday! Wishing you many more wonderful travels and unforgettable adventures ahead! Kind regards, Kate

Fernando N.

5 / 5

Oct 18, 2026

[VIP] Hiroshima & Miyajima Private Car Full-Day Tour (2 UNESCO Sites, Easy & Efficient 8 Hours)

Oct 18, 2026

Hiroshima

8 hours

“Nice day in Hiroshima!”

We had a wonderful experience touring Hiroshima and Miyajima with Kate. She was very professional, friendly, and accommodating throughout the day. Communication before the tour was excellent, making everything easy and well organized from the start. We especially appreciated her kindness and willingness to go the extra mile. At the end of the tour, she even accompanied our group into the train station to make sure we knew exactly where to go. That personal touch meant a lot to us! My only suggestion for improvement would be to provide a little more proactive commentary and historical background about the places we were visiting. At times, we found ourselves asking questions to better understand what we were seeing, and a more engaging narrative would have made the experience even more enriching. That said, Kate was a pleasure to spend the day with, and we truly appreciated her professionalism, friendliness, and dedication to making our visit enjoyable. Overall, a great experience, and we would happily recommend Kate to anyone visiting Hiroshima and Miyajima!

Kate M.

Thank you so much for your kind words and your thoughtful feedback, Fernando! I really enjoyed spending the day with you all in Hiroshima and Miyajima, and I’m so glad the communication and the train station send-off made things easy for you. Thank you also for your honest suggestion about the commentary. Every group is different, and I sometimes hold back to give guests space to take things in, but I’ll make sure to share more of the history and stories along the way. I hope you had a wonderful rest of your trip! Kind regards, Kate